The Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) is expected to file formal complaints against both Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor for their roles in the post-fight brawl that followed their championship bout at UFC 229 on Saturday night.
In the immediate aftermath of the fight, NAC chose to withhold Nurmagomedov’s $2 million purse, while releasing McGregor’s $3 million payment. However, after reviewing more video that wasn’t initially available, the commission now plans to file complaints against both fighters.
NAC Issues Temporary Suspensions Ahead of Review
According to Los Angeles Times reporter Lance Pugmire, both fighters will face 10-day suspensions as NAC begins to review the situation that took place following Saturday’s main event.
The complaint against McGregor is likely due to the fact that the Irish fighter can be seen throwing a punch at one of Nurmagomedov’s teammates after they entered the Octagon. Another person from Nurmagomedov’s team punched McGregor as he was recovering after the fight.
“There are a lot of things here,” NAC chairman Anthony Marnell told ESPN on Monday. “There are a lot of charges that can be brought against a spectator who came over the barricade, through the commission section and into the Octagon to strike a fighter three times. For the record, I have a massive problem with that. That cannot happen.”
Nurmagomedov is also likely to face consequences for his decision to leap out of the Octagon and attack McGregor teammate Dillon Danis. According to a report by TMZ, at least one fan who sat near Danis reported that Danis was yelling insults at Nurmagomedov throughout the fight, including calling him a “f—ing Muslim rat” towards the end of the bout.
McGregor coach John Kavanaugh denied hearing those specific comments, though he admitted that Dillon probably provoked Nurmagomedov.
“Dillon is a bit of a troll online, so there’s probably a build up of other stuff,” Kavanagh told reporters. “It wasn’t that big of a deal to me, what Khabib did, it just really wasn’t.”
Nurmagomedov Likely Facing Fine, Suspension
NAC isn’t treating the incident lightly, however. According to Marnell, Nurmagomedov is likely to face both a fine and a suspension for his role in the melee.
“It’s always both,” Marnell told ESPN. “We could do one or the other, but at least in the chair’s mind, I think the commission will be entertaining a recommendation from the attorney general that will include both.”
In comments made to TMZ, UFC president Dana White offered his own suggestions on how Nurmagomedov should be punished.
“I think they should take a quarter-of-a-million dollars from him,” White said. “He absolutely keeps his title. And he’s gonna get suspended, so maybe you give him a four- to six-month suspension.”
Nurmagomedov (27-0) defeated McGregor (21-4) via submission by rear naked choke in the fourth round, in what was widely seen as a dominating performance for the Dagestani champion. Despite the suspensions and other discipline that could be coming for both fighters, White told ESPN’s First Take that McGregor is already looking for another shot at the UFC lightweight title.
“Conor McGregor has already called me, wanting a rematch,” White said. “That’s what Conor has asked for. We’ll see what happens with Khabib and what’s next. Tony Ferguson looked amazing. Those two have been lined up three different times to fight and it hasn’t happened. We’ll see how things play out.”